Dorfer



(No Model.)

J. HOFFMAN.

PENCIL.

YPa,er1'l:ed Jan. Q, 1883.

'UNITED STATES PATENT Ormea.

JOSEPH HOFFMAN, OF NEW YORK, N. Y., ASSIGNOR TO JOSEPH RECKEN- DORFER, OF SAME PLACE.

PENCIL.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 270,567, dated January 9, 1883. Application ined .time 13, 1882. (No model.)

cation.

My invention is characterized by the combination, in one instrument, ot' a point-protecting sleeve, a pencilof the so-called Automatic77 typethat is to say, a pencil having on its end a spring-controlled pressure-cap by which the lead-clamping device is operated to release the lead-these two elements being longitudinally movable with respect to one another so that the point of the instrument may he covered or uncovered, as desired, a spring operating to retract the pencil within the sleeve, and a lock or latch by which the pencil may be held in advanced position against the stress ofthe said spring.

Figure l is an elevation of the instrument representing the parts in the position when the point or tip ofthe pencil projects from the point-protecting sleeve. Fig.2 is a longitudinal central section ofthe same. Fig. 3 is a like section, with the parts inthe position they assume when the point of the pencil is covered by the sleeve. Fig. 4 is across-section of the case on theline 44, Fig. 1.

A is the tubular sheath or case which surrounds` the lead-tube B. The latteris longitudinally movable withinthe sheath, and cariies at one end the usual lead-grasping jaws, b, and at the other end the pressure-cap c, between which and a shoulder in the sheath is interposed the retracting-spring d. The jaws are closed by being` drawn by the springagainst the contracted end ot' the tip or nozzleaof the sheath, zi'nd are released by pressing upon the pressure-cap. rlhe device thus far is the saines in principle and operation as the well-known automatic pencil described in Reissue Letters Patent No. 8,967, of November 18,1879.

Surrounding the sheath is a point-protecting sleeve, O, which, in this instance, virtuallyconstitutes the handle of the instrument, and can wise with reference to the holder, and incloses a comparatively-light spring, c, which sur- 5o tion indicated in Fig. 3, in which position the tip or point of the holder is covered by the sleeve. In order to uncover the tip or point, the holder is pushed forward by hand against the stress of the spring to the position indicated in Fig. 2, and to hold it in this position 6o I make use ot' adlock or latch, which, in the present instance, consists of a rounded knob 0r button, h, carried on the end of a springstrip,t', attached to the sheath A. In the sleeve C, at the proper point, is a hole, j, to receive the button or knob It. The latter is pressed outwardly by its spring t', so that when it comes opposite to the holej it will at once enter therein, and thus lock the pencil in its forward position. The rounded knob projects far 7o enough to permit it to be depressed like a thumb-button by hand whenever it is desired to unlock the holder, and when this is done the spring c at once throws back the holder to the position shown in Fig. 3.

With the special form of retainer or lock just described it is requisite, in order to maintain the button in line with the hole, that the sheath and sleeve should not-be capable of rotatingindependently ot'one another. mechanical expedients for this purpose may be employed. One convenient means is to give a portion, C', of the sleeve apolygonal form in cross-section and to make that-portion A' of the sheath which plays therethrough ot' a cor- 85 responding external t'orm, as indicated in Fig. 3. The device represented in the drawings is a very-convenient and desirable embodiment ot' my invention. rIhe sleeve serves as a handle, and the pressure-cap is so placed as to pro- 9o Various 8c be made of any convenient or suitable material, size, and contguration. Itis movable length pencil in position against the pressure exerted on the cap. The pressure-cap, however, need rarely be used, since, instead of opening the jaws and letting the lead drop back into the tube when the pencilis not required for use, itis only necessary to retract the pencil Within the sleeve, which will cover and protect the lead point.

In the arrangement represented in the drawings the spring e should belighter than the retraotin g-sprin g d.

t In lieu of the lock or latch hereinbet'ore described,other forms ot' retaining mechanism can be employed. My invention is not restricted to the special retaining device shown.

\Vhat1claim as new and of' myinvention is Thelongitudinally-movable point-protecting sleeve and the automatic lead and crayon Witnesses :v

LEOPOLD ANsBACHER, J om W. SWAINE. 

